I met a clown once. He was at the mall making balloon animals for the kids. While he contorted a squeaky red one into a dog for my son, I noticed six cryptical letters embroidered on his costume–where a name tag would be. “IYQYQR” I said,” What does that mean?” “Oh, you don’t speak “clown-lish,” said the red-nosed jester with a grin. “I…like…you..like…you…are,” he said, pointing to each letter.
My new clowned friend was on to something. He must have heard about the guy who said this:
Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
Theodore Roosevelt
At the risk of comparing The Almighty to both a clown and our 26th president, I believe God agrees.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Psalm 103:8,10,13 (NIV)
Clearly, imperfect humans fall far short of God’s holiness (Romans 3:23). And our creator doesn’t grade on the curve. He could flunk us all. Thankfully, there’s a merciful solution for our predicament.
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
You probably already know these things. So, here’s my somewhat fresh angle: God likes you like you are. You don’t have to DO anything to earn his endearment. Like that clown at the mall, He just likes you. Period.
Squeaky balloon animal, anyone?
Photo by Genaro Servin on Pexels.com https://www.pexels.com/photo/clown-with-green-wig-792764/
This post was first published on June 17, 2019, when I had thirty-seven followers. Fourteen of them were squeaky balloon animals.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
19 responses to “My New Clowned Friend”
Ooooooo Nooooo! Gosh but I love how your brain works!
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You’re welcome. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings!
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Thank you for this reminder 🙏
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Yes indeed, Matt. Your thought could be another post in itself! Thanks, and God Bless.
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Jesus loves us the way we are but loves us too much to leave us the way we are
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The honesty of your story is heartwarming, Carrie. “I am me because God said so.” Frankly, sometimes I don’t like being me. But then I remember that God doesn’t make mistakes. Thank you for reading and sharing. Blessings!
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I used to have a low opinion of myself until I walked away from an abusive past 4.5 years ago . With God’s help I have learned to laugh at my disabilities and shortcomings and to appreciate them for the most part. Of course I have my days; we all do. I am me because God said so, I am His because I asked him to be mine.
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😊
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Exactly, Barb! You summed up my thoughts in one sentence. Thank you for your input!
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What a GREAT witness! We have to accept people where they are not where we wish they were!
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Well I can’t just turn my balloon friends away. That would be deflating.
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The real question is…do you still have those squeaky balloon animal followers?
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You, too, David!
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I like it, Betty! We are all works in progress. If we’re still alive it’s not too late. I hope you and Dan have a GRAND day!
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This is a good thought – that God loves us and accepts us just as we are! I also like to remember we aren’t finished products yet. Not being a finished product allows for imperfections and gives us hope for the future.
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Amen, sister! Thanks. 🙏❤️
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I am so thankful that God likes us just as we are. May we live extending that acceptance and love with each other.
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So true, Bridget! Thank you. What’s wonderful is it’s not necessary to agree with someone in order to like them. God’s love (through us) can reach people wherever they are.
I am grateful for your regular input. Blessings!
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What a gift to know that God likes us as we are. Many of us still try to “do” things to earn God’s favor. But we already have it. And if human beings lived by IYQYQR, just think how different this world would be!
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